Volunteer Abroad Programs Since 1997

Support Our Projects - The Trust

TT The GVI Charitable Trust was set up in 2005 to help with disaster relief following the devastation caused by Hurricane Stan in Guatemala. After an overwhelming response from past volunteers the GVI Charitable Trust has gone on to manage and fundraise projects with many of GVI's partners overseas.

What are our goals?

  • To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment
  • To advance education and research for the benefit of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment
  • To relieve sickness and preserve and promote the good health of persons
  • To relieve poverty, financial hardship and distress

The GVI Charitable Trust is successfully achieving these goals in many countries, with aid available to grassroots organisations to make a difference in their own environments or communities in over 40 countries globally.

Visit our Charitable Trust web site at www.gvi.org to find out more.

How are we doing?

Through the generous donations and support of volunteers, corporations, trusts and foundations, here are some of the successes that have been made possible through the GVI Charitable Trust since its inception:

 

Feeding Programs, Teachers Wages, Teacher Training – Mombasa, Kenya

GVI supports two schools in Mombasa through our volunteer programs - Olives Rehabilitation Centre and Nyota Ing-arayo. At the inception of our relationship with the schools, GVI asked what the schools needed financial help with either in the short term (to ensure quality of education on a day to basis) or towards long term goals of self-sufficiency (investments to reduce donor dependence).

Both schools agreed on short term support for feeding programs, teachers wages and teacher training term and long term support to purchase plots of land to build sustainable schools. Since 2009, GVI CT has provided at least one nutritious meal every school for around 400 students ensuring that children have the stamina to concentrate throughout the day’s lessons, and that absenteeism is reduced through improved nutritional health. The GVI CT has also enabled four teachers to gain their primary certificate in teaching which ensures that skills are being developed to increase the quality of education students receive in GVI supported schools.

 

Rainforest conservation - Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

The area is a prime turtle nesting area and critical jaguar habitat. Sadly, due to poaching and habitat destruction many of these species are in rapid decline.  Through the Charitable Trust, we have funded patrol teams who will monitor the beaches and forest to protect this vital area. Since its foundation in Jalova, GVI Costa Rica has reduced poaching activity on a 3 mile section of TNP to almost zero. Unfortunately the volunteer workforce cannot cover the entire 15 miles & park ranger resources are inconsistent, so poaching and hunting rates are still prolific in other areas of the park.

Through liaison with the Park Ranger’s we understand that simply providing more fuel and food resources will enable a more comprehensive protection strategy and allow extra patrolling measures. With adequate funding, TNP can be fully monitored year-round to allow the park to host the available extra workforce. Through this additional man power the canals, forests and beaches can be better protected and those conducting illegal practices apprehended. As a result, the animal populations of the national park have flourished, as has been shown by existing monitoring practices.

 

Teacher Training - Southern Andaman Provinces of Krabi/Phang Nga, Thailand

GVI has been providing free English classes to communities throughout the Andaman region of Thailand since 2007.  This first started with English classes for the community in Ao Luk through the Ao Luk Non-Formal Education Centre and has grown to work with schools, community centers, orphanages, government agencies and even prisons through demand in the area.  

One of the main reasons for this demand for native speaking English teachers is the lack of resources and development of local Thai teachers teaching English to students in schools.  Often the teachers themselves have limited English skills and still maintain a rote style of classroom teaching which doesn't allow students to use any language they are learning.  English classes are limited and non-existent at many rural schools though English skills are required for many higher education and job opportunities throughout the country. 

In 2011, GVI began organizing teaching training workshops for local teachers.  These workshops are focused on allowing Thai teachers to practice their English with native speakers as well as learn student centered teaching techniques and activities these teachers can use with their own students.  As a culminating event the Thai teachers prepare English lessons based around different topic areas to demonstrate for the group.  These workshops are very popular with the teachers and GVI has been invited to lead in both Krabi and Phang Nga. With continued support and resources we can continue to offer these professional development opportunities for local Thai teachers.